Pendleton Working People’s Association Hall, John Street, Pendleton

This Association, which numbers 800 members, has recently erected a hall in John Street, where lectures are to be delivered, and the following work will be carried on: Temperance meetings and entertainments, a night school for operatives, mothers’ meetings, Bible and other classes, and a penny bank. In connection with the Association, loan publications will be circulated to nearly 2,000 cottages each week; and copies of the “British Workman” to over 700 members monthly. A ragged school and a band of hope will also be carried on. The building, although not yet completed, appears to be adapted for all the purposes of a working men’s club. The basement comprises kitchen, storeroom, boiler room and cutting-room. On the ground floor are the reading-room, ante-room, and retiring-room, divisible; day reading-room, and keeper’s day-room. On the first floor is the assembly room, a spacious apartment, 78 feet long by 39 feet in breadth. At 18 feet from the floor the ceiling commences, and is covered (coved?) gently upwards until a total height of 22 feet is attained. The room is adorned with broad pilasters at the sides, which extend far on to the ceiling, and are enriched and terminated by elaborate ornaments, in relief, of wood and stucco. A deep and broadly enriched band passes along the sides, where the ceiling commences to spring, whilst minor enriched bands connect the ceiling decorations and continue in other positions, to complete the general effect. This room, it is computed, will seat 800 persons. It is divisible by excellent arrangements, and without injustice to its general effect or utility, into three rooms, in each of which meetings of various sizes can be comfortably held. One portion has been adapted to answer every requirement as a gymnasium for females. There is a gallery over the west end of the assembly room capable of accommodating 60 additional persons. For tea meetings there is a large and convenient hoist opening upon each floor. Ventilation has been well prepared for; and hot water passes through most of the rooms. The plans have been prepared and the works directed by Mr R Boyle, architect, King Street; and the builder was Mr M Burnell, Chapman Street. ... The total cost of the building would be £2,200, of which £1,200 had been obtained. [Manchester Guardian 4 March 1867 page 3].

Reference           Manchester Guardian 4 March 1867 page 3